128 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

Synopsis
One of the most highly respected fantasy novels ever written, THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE can be seen as both an exciting children's adventure story and an allegory about faith. The story begins when the Pevensie siblings (Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy) escape the dangers of World War II-era London by relocating to the country home of family friend Professor Kirke. One day, while playing hide-and-seek, Lucy hides in an old wardrobe and finds herself transported to the world of Narnia, a magical land frozen in eternal winter by the evil White Witch. With the help of her siblings, Lucy sets forth to free Narnia from the White Witch's reign by bringing about the return of Narnia's guardian, Aslan the lion, a quest impeded by a shocking betrayal. Although THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE was the first of the Chronicles of Narnia to be published, many readers prefer to begin the series with THE MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW (the sixth book published), because it describes the history of Narnia and sets the stage for the adventures of the Pevensie siblings. THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE has been adapted for the screen several times, including two live-action British TV productions (1967 and 1988), a British/American animated TV movie, and a big Hollywood film in 2005.

My first introduction into Narnia was from my wife who, reading it, exclaimed "...what a beautiful picture of Christ." Allegorical somewhat as a piece of children's literature, and not overly accurate theologically, nevertheless, when I saw what happened when Aslan took Edmond's place, then I understood what she meant, and enjoyed the beauty of the picture immensely. And the character of Lucy is the most interesting of the 4 children, picturing the simplicity of trust in Aslan.

The open a door and enter a world.
Narnia...the land beyond the wardrobe,the secret country known only to Peter,Susan,Edmund,and Lucy...the place wher the adventure begins.Lucy is the first to find the secret of the wardrobe in the professor's mysterious old house.At first no one believes her when she tells of her adventures in the land of Narnia.But soon Edmund and then Peter and Susan discover the Magic and meet Aslan,the great lion,for themselves.In the blink of an eye their lives are changing forver. Enter this enchanted world countless times in The Chronicles of Narnia.There are seven books in all

This will not disappoint the fans of the movie as the plot is virtually line for line now on the big screen. Wonderful story and again, a clear tone of consequences to every action but written so quaintly that it is neither oppressive nor repulsive.

Again, a book for children and this volume could certainly suck in a small child who perhaps is not quite ready for the worlds (and wordage) of Tolkien or Rowling.

Very quick reading for an adult, it could be savored by a parent or grandparent and child together.

From back cover:
"NARNIA...the land beyond the wardrobe, the secret country known only to Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy...the place where the adventure begins.

Lucy is the first to find the secret of the wardrobe in the professor's mysterious old house. At first, no one believes her when she tells of her adventures in the land of Narnia. But soon Edmund and then Peter and Susan discover the Magic and meet Aslan, the Great Lion, for themselves. In the blink of an eye, their lives are changed forever."

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Book 2 of 7; Four children experience an adventure of a life time... The enchanting world of Narnia... Where animals can speak and live as humans do, is found within the walls of the wardrobe. This book and all in the series are great for young and old...filled with much excitement, adventure, and mysteries turns of events. Great Book.

Four adventurers step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia -- a land enslaved by the power of the White Witch. But when almost all hope is lost, the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, signals a great change...and a great sacrifice.

Amber J. - reviewed The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia) on 8/6/2009

One of my favorite books! I read it for the first time when I was in college and it became in instant favorite. I love all the stories in the series, but this is definitely my favorite out of all of them.

NARNIA....a land frozen in eternal winter...a country waiting to be set free. Four adventures step through a wardobe door and into the land of Narnia-- A land enslaved by the power of the White Witch. But when almost all hope is lost the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, signals a great change... and a great scrificae.

Lucy finds the wardrobe -the entrance to Narnia- but no one will believe her when she tells about her fantastic adventures there. Soon the others discover the Magic, meet Aslan the Lion, and their lives are changed forever! Amazing!

What a wonderful world Narnia is...I was lucky enough to share this world with my 7 year old son as I read this book to him. It is such a beautiful story that can be appreciated by us both. There was the fantasy and whimsy of a world entered into by a secret passage that all kids and I enjoyed. Then there were deeper parallels with bibilical reference that wouldn't be picked up my children probably but adults. I read that these books should be read once as a child and once as an adult and I believe that to be true. The passage describing Aslans death was so deeply written it was difficult for me to read aloud but, not inappropiate for my son to hear. It was a wonderful expirence to share with my child we are looking forward to the rest of the series.

Adam M. reviewed The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia) on 3/31/2007

As a child I read and reread the Chronicles of Narnia, by C. S. Lewis. They are wonderful, fantastic books whether or not you get or care for the Christian Allegory. These were a tremendous influence on me and one of the biggest reasons I love books so much today.

I decided to re-read this book Friday night after seeing at the movie theater that a new film version will be released this coming December. Of course, I have seen the BBC version of the film so many times that its images, and not my own, follow me through each chapter of the book. But that is not a bad thing. The BBC film and the book are both magical. First in a series; sequels include Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, The Horse and His Boy, The Magician's Nephew, and The Last Battle.

I read the entire set of 7 little Narnia books every 3 to 5 years: I must! A great story, well told, true at many levels (as good fantasy fiction often is), memorable characters, good humor too. Though this one, LWW, is often listed first or packaged first in the set, it is actually #2 in the chronology of Lewis' overall scheme. Highly recommended at all ages; if fact, I read the full set out loud, chapter by chapter, as bedtime stories for my grandson when he was 4-5 years old. We agreed, by the way, on our favorite characters in the series: Puddleglum, the Marsh-wiggle, closely followed by Reepicheep, the incomparably noble mouse.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (the first book in the Narnia Series) is a great book. I first read it, along with the other six books in the series, when I was in grade school and I was completely entranced. I highly recommend this book. It is especially appropriate reading for grammar school children.

I was highly dissapointed with Lewis's classic. I felt like everytime I really got into the story, I was reminded it was a story in the most obvious way. Maybe I'm to old or just don't understand the underlying religious subtext but I don't think I'll continue on reading the series.

Volume 2 (or volume 1 depending on which numbering system you are using) of C.S. Lewis's classic "Chronicles of Narnia" series. Based on Christian theology, but never heavy handed about it, this is a marvelous book, full of adventure and wonder.

This book was assigned reading for me in the 5th grade, and once completed, I immediately read the following 6 stories. Prior to seeing the movie, I picked up the book again (fortunately my husband kept his copies from school) and while I was able to finish it in one sitting, it was still a captivating read. I'm not real sure about the whole Christian-tie-in thing I've heard rumored--that seems like quite a stretch for a book about mythological creatures and witchcraft--but it's still a wonderful moral tale.

C.S. Lewis is thought of as a thinking mans author,
this book the first in a series is a delightful childrens book,
and reads almost if it is being read aloud to your grand children.
If you're looking for a book to read your kids, this is a great place to start.

NARNIA...the land beyond the wardrobe, the secret country known only to Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy...the place where the adventure begins.
Lucy is the first to find the secret of the wardrobe in the professor's mysterious old house. At first, no one believes her when she tells of her adventures in the land of Narnia. But soon Edmund and then Peter and Susan discover the Magic and meet Aslan, the Great Lion, for themselves. In the blink of an eye, their lives are changed forever.
Enter this enchanted world countless times in The Chronicles of Narnia.

I have read this story many times and have enjoyed it every time I have read it. It is the story of how the Pevensey children find Narnia. In a stately home of Digory Kirke, who is now an ederly man, the Pevensey children, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, come to spend time away from London and the blitzkrig. They are playing and discover an old wardrobe in a spare room and Lucy enters it and finds herself in Narnia, where she meets a faun, Mr Tumnus, and they become friends. Later all the children enter Narnia and meet Aslan, the lion king, who was waiting for them so the prophecy can be fulfilled. But before anything can happen, Aslan must make a heavy sacrifice to restore Edmund. The battle starts in earnest and all kinds of wonderous things take place in Narnia.

Terri W. (tiaw) reviewed The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia) on 9/9/2010

This is such a classic. I have never read it I am sorry to say. I ordered it here to begin reading it to my 9 year old daughter. We both look forward now to reading a chapter in bed each night before she goes to sleep. We are excited about doing this with the whole series....
Tia